Hey guys,
I just wanted to post my results on a mod that I agreed to do. I used old style IMS SO17XA reflectors to modify a couple of Fire Flies.
I know that some have said that they were able to modify FF's without modification to the light itself. I found this to be an exercise in tearing up reflectors. In order to do it without removing material from the FireFly itself, you'd have to get into the reflective surface of the reflector, and I think that is counter productive.
The first thing I did was to make a plug to fit into the back of the reflector. This allows the reflector to be chucked, if you don't have a collet the correct size, which I didn't. After chucking the reflector from the back end, I reduced the diameter of the front portion of the reflector by 20/1000's. I then turned the reflector around and began turning off the skirt. I did this using a cut off tool. I removed the skirt in increments until the "hollow" portion of the skirt was gone.
I then measured the thickness of what was left of the rim on the IMS reflector and subtracted the thickness of the rim on the Fraen opitc. I then removed this amount from the face of the copper sandwiche/optic housing. I also bored the housing a tiny bit to accomodate the reflector.
It has a nice stock look to it and the beam is typical IMS 17mm.
For the pics...
The beam shots were taken with each light about 20 feet from a white wall (and couch). The beams were beautiful. One of the fireflies has a bit of a greenie in it, but you can't fault the reflector for that.
I just wanted to share my experience for those that might want to try this.
I have a VERY limited supply of the old style IMS reflectors and am keeping those for personal mods. Please do not ask me to supply any.
If you are interestd in having this done to your FF AND you can supply your own old style IMS reflector, I MIGHT consider doing it. It took me a while to do these, although I MIGHT get better and quicker at doing it, if I do more. For now, I'm considering this a PITA mod, especially considering what it costs to replace the copper housing, if I screw it up.
Oh, for you guys that weren't aware of it. If you stick a round corn pad on the sandwiche, it will prevent battery rattle and that annoying accidental discharge that forces you to loosen the head more than you should need to.
I just wanted to post my results on a mod that I agreed to do. I used old style IMS SO17XA reflectors to modify a couple of Fire Flies.
I know that some have said that they were able to modify FF's without modification to the light itself. I found this to be an exercise in tearing up reflectors. In order to do it without removing material from the FireFly itself, you'd have to get into the reflective surface of the reflector, and I think that is counter productive.
The first thing I did was to make a plug to fit into the back of the reflector. This allows the reflector to be chucked, if you don't have a collet the correct size, which I didn't. After chucking the reflector from the back end, I reduced the diameter of the front portion of the reflector by 20/1000's. I then turned the reflector around and began turning off the skirt. I did this using a cut off tool. I removed the skirt in increments until the "hollow" portion of the skirt was gone.
I then measured the thickness of what was left of the rim on the IMS reflector and subtracted the thickness of the rim on the Fraen opitc. I then removed this amount from the face of the copper sandwiche/optic housing. I also bored the housing a tiny bit to accomodate the reflector.
It has a nice stock look to it and the beam is typical IMS 17mm.
For the pics...
The beam shots were taken with each light about 20 feet from a white wall (and couch). The beams were beautiful. One of the fireflies has a bit of a greenie in it, but you can't fault the reflector for that.
I just wanted to share my experience for those that might want to try this.
I have a VERY limited supply of the old style IMS reflectors and am keeping those for personal mods. Please do not ask me to supply any.
If you are interestd in having this done to your FF AND you can supply your own old style IMS reflector, I MIGHT consider doing it. It took me a while to do these, although I MIGHT get better and quicker at doing it, if I do more. For now, I'm considering this a PITA mod, especially considering what it costs to replace the copper housing, if I screw it up.
Oh, for you guys that weren't aware of it. If you stick a round corn pad on the sandwiche, it will prevent battery rattle and that annoying accidental discharge that forces you to loosen the head more than you should need to.
